Chapter 712: A New Family Member.

The following morning arrived soon after, bringing with it a massive blanket of mist that rose from the body of water below them. The water vapor attempted to rise, but it was pushed back down by the massive shield surrounding the floating island sanctuary.

‘So it begins…’

Roland stood outside the hotel where his students had spent the night. He had watched over them for the most part while also setting up a few defenses, including hidden runic sensors that allowed him to monitor their rooms more effectively.

Previously, he had been unable to do so because of the nature of this place and the constant magical supervision provided by the many statues scattered throughout the sanctuary. However, mages were permitted to establish protective magic within their own areas of residence to put their minds at ease. Many strange things had happened in this sanctuary over the years, and protecting the students was a responsibility Roland did not take lightly.

To his knowledge, some incidents had occurred in the past. Nothing too drastic, but enough to convince him to keep his eyes open. Competing academies would sometimes tamper with the food by slipping sleeping potions into it. On one occasion, someone had even summoned an avalanche of rodents that kept an entire group awake all night in an attempt to give their own team an advantage.

Luckily, nothing of the sort had happened this night. However, once the events began and it became clear who the favorites were, attempts at sabotage would likely multiply.

‘I just need to hold out for a week, and then all of this will be over.’

Roland adjusted the cloak over his runic armor while checking the internal feed. The only thought keeping him moving forward was that once this competition was over, he would probably never have to do anything for the Archmagus again, or at least not until he needed something directly from her. Her library was still mostly unexplored by him, and once he came closer to Tier Four, or even reached it, he might have to borrow a few more books.

“Stephen.”

“Y-yes, Deputy Professor!”

“Go wake up the students. We need to get them ready for the first day.”

“O-of course!”

Stephen, his current assistant, was quite handy, and Roland could leave it to him to make sure all the students received their schedules. There were still a few hours left before they needed to leave, but once they entered the pocket dimension, it would be better for everyone to know where they needed to go and where the exit was located.

Roland watched as the younger man hurried into the lodge, leaving him alone on the quiet, mist-draped terrace. Even now, whenever he looked at the barrier surrounding the island, he wondered whether he could pierce it and escape. According to his calculations, even a Tier Four class holder would have difficulty accomplishing such a feat. This meant that if someone committed a crime within the island, they would probably be trapped inside unless they possessed some knowledge that he did not.

‘The mana is weaker in some places than others, but getting through it would still be no small feat.’

He continued to ponder the matter, but eventually he had to face reality. He also needed to prepare for his own event, the one involving the massive golemic suit of armor known as the Runic Mobile Armor.

Most of the competitions were between students, but this was one of the exceptions. For this event, the entire school could contribute to the creation of something that would represent them in the competition.

This project had started as a means of getting himself untangled from the institute, but that did not mean it was beneficial to his own research. He had already produced something akin to a runic power suit, and this was simply the natural progression of the technology.

He also was not sure how people would react to this technology given the prevalence of self-operating golems. To some, this method might look like a step backward, as it required a human pilot to be inside the golem for it to function. Yet, to him, someone who had worked on many golemic constructs, there was one obvious advantage: the human mind and experience.

Most golemic constructs had simple minds. They could perform basic tasks, but they required a great deal of oversight from their creators. The cores they used as their brains possessed considerable processing power, but they were bound by rigid and repetitive logic. They lacked the ability to adapt to chaotic variables, sense instinctive danger, or improvise when something went wrong.

On battlefields, they usually took the form of gigantic behemoths designed more for defensive than offensive missions. They certainly had their uses, but their lack of tactical thinking and adaptability usually meant that a spellcaster needed to be present to control them. This created a weak point that could be exploited. By including a pilot, many of these issues could be alleviated.

“Deputy Professor Wayland, good day.”

“Good morning, Professor Arion.”

As he moved through the corridor, Arion floated past in his small black cat form. Even now, he continued to stick to it rather than revealing his normal body.

“Oh, how grand! I just can’t wait to see our students taking part in the competitions!”

Before he could say anything else, Arion started talking. It was clear that he was excited. As the current leader of the Runic Department, Arion had a lot to look forward to. The department was responsible for all the support equipment, and if they were victorious, even more funding would flow their way.

“Mhm. I’ll leave them in your hands. I need to go check on the golem. The first bout should be around midday.” ℴℴ𝘮

Roland simply nodded in response. Arion gave a quick flick of his tail before floating away down the corridor, leaving Roland to make his way toward the storage facility where the golem and the other support items were being stored. With the events about to begin, it was finally time for them to get everything ready.

“Mr. William, how are you feeling?”

“Oh, I’m fine, Deputy Professor Wayland.”

When he arrived, Robert was already dressed and waiting beside the locked-away golem. The dwarven craftsmen and several assistant teachers were also moving about, going over the inventory one last time before the official beginning of the first competition.

“Hey, be careful with that! If any of those staves get damaged, you’ll all lose your jobs!”

“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll be careful!”

One of the senior teachers shouted at a younger teacher who had nearly dropped one of the crates floating around the storage area. He quickly straightened up and used his Mage Hand spell to move it with greater precision while enduring the senior teacher’s glare.

‘That one is for the first event, I think. Precision Spell Shooting.’

Roland said nothing and instead turned his attention toward Robert. Even though he was the leader here, he was still mostly focused on the main event his brother was taking part in. There was roughly a fifty-fifty chance that Archmagus Thrain would appear, so now all he could do was wait and see how he would react.

The favorites to win the golem battle event came from Thrain’s school, the Ironspire Collegium. Although Thrain himself was a rare half-Dwarven mage, the Dwarven side seemed to favor magical constructs, which the Collegium specialized in. There were many runesmiths among their ranks, and they had also won the last golem battle five years ago. They had used a massive construct that had barely fit within the dimensional limits, so this time, they would probably come with something similar.

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“Well, why don’t we start, then?”

He eventually turned to face Robert in his Silvergrace pilot suit. His brother simply nodded and moved over to the large rectangular container holding the golem. On its side was a runic diagram. After Robert placed his hand against it, the diagram reacted to his mana fingerprint.

With a hiss, the container began rising from its flat position into an upright stance. A large mechanical arm pushed it forward until it was properly positioned. Once it was in place, the various locks released, and the cloth covering it fell away to the sides. The front of the container finally opened, causing many of the Dwarven craftsmen and assistant professors to stare in astonishment.

“So this is the golem the Deputy Professor prepared?”

Most of the golem was still inside the container, covered by cables that began releasing their locks. Soon, a white, silvery leg moved forward, revealing a sleek and intricate mechanical foot unlike anything most of them had seen before.

“Now then, let’s test everything out, Mr. William.”

Robert nodded as both he and Roland looked toward the golem, which was still on autopilot. A small thud sounded as the RMA took a few steps forward before stopping and automatically lowering itself into a kneeling position. With another hiss, the chest cavity opened, revealing the secret behind the contraption.

“What is that for?”

“I’ve never seen a golem like that…”

Roland had kept the project hidden from everyone, and no one had been allowed to see the finished product, even after it arrived at the institute. Most had simply assumed it would be a regular golem, but once they saw Robert crawling into the pilot seat inside, they had no idea what to make of it.

“Everyone, please refrain from revealing the golem’s secret. While it will become known soon enough, keeping it hidden will give our opponents less time to prepare a countermeasure.”

The people in the storage room looked at one another and nodded. To them, it did not make much sense. They could not see any advantage to having a person inside the golem. In their minds, even if golems were being controlled and given orders, the person controlling them did not need to be physically inside. In fact, they considered it a disadvantage, given that the golem would be constantly moving and shaking.

“Now then, Mr. William, initiate the synchronization procedure and begin the calibration sequence.”

“Understood.”

Most of the people present could not see much of the golem. It was facing them with its back, and a large cloth that resembled a robe was draped over its body. Inside the container, they also spotted several additional pieces of equipment that appeared to be weapons. Some were easy to identify, such as a shield and a large sword, while others were strange, blocky objects that did not resemble conventional weaponry.

******

“Everyone, gather up. You will have an hour to prepare. Anyone who wishes to meet their relatives, now is the time.”

An assistant teacher shouted as all the students within the hotel gathered together. Among them were Lucienne and her whole party. Some of them, like Elain, looked nervous, while others, like Leron, wore their usual stone-faced expressions.

“My grandfather should be here. I’ll see you later, guys!”

Sephie said as she adjusted her huge hat before promptly making her way toward the exit. She and many others had family members arriving for the event. Some were of noble descent, while others were powerful mages or wealthy merchants who could afford the trip.

‘Mother should be somewhere around here. I need to find her before everything starts. I’m sure she’ll be worried if I don’t find her.’

“Wait, Selphie! I’m coming with you!”

Lucienne knew that her mother had become much more protective after her brother Robert went missing. She wished she could tell her that he was actually here in the sanctuary, but for now, that wasn’t possible.

Those who wished to meet their relatives were guided outside and escorted by a few professors, while the others were immediately directed toward the main pavilion, which was located not far away.

Like everything else in the sanctuary, the pavilion looked like a gigantic ancient temple made of polished stone. Despite its age, the magic flowing through the palace made it look as though it had been carved only a few years ago. People moved in every direction, creating a chaotic scene, but fortunately, there was still a system in place to keep everything organized.

“Xandar’s Institute, your platform is this one.”

The professor guiding them was Arion. He had been given a plaque bearing an ancient-looking number, which he used to identify their designated platform. He approached a floating platform near the center of the pavilion, and it slowly descended toward them, hovering just a few inches above the polished stone floor.

“Please step aboard, students. This will carry us directly to the viewing stalls.”

Arion instructed them as he floated above the railing, making sure everyone boarded safely. Other platforms were already gliding through the air, carrying students from various schools. This time, the bullies they had encountered earlier were nowhere to be seen, which made Lucienne let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Soon, she and Selphie were moving through the air as countless other platforms passed around them. It was a breathtaking magical sight. Some platforms were even upside down, yet the people standing on them never fell. They remained firmly attached to the surface as if gravity itself shifted to accommodate each vessel.

Lucienne leaned over the edge of the platform, scanning the bustling spectator balconies below. Hundreds of robes, banners, and shimmering magical crests filled the colossal structure. The sheer scale of the Sanctum was breathtaking, yet her mind remained focused on finding a familiar face.

Beside her, Selphie suddenly perked up and pointed toward an upper floor, where an elderly man wearing deep blue robes stood with a smile on his face.

“There he is!”

Selphie exclaimed, waving her hand high above her head.

"Grandfather!"

Around him stood several other people, and soon the students from the institute began calling out to their relatives as well. The platform started to slow as it connected to the viewing platform, and the safety railing slid downward to allow the students to disembark.

Selphie and the others quickly moved forward, while Lucienne merely walked at a leisurely pace. At first, she could not see her mother anywhere. Then she spotted a familiar face, one that did not belong to Francine, but to Ivetta, her knight protector who had not been allowed to travel through the initial teleportation gate.

"Young lady!"

Ivetta waved at her enthusiastically with both arms, making herself impossible to miss. Soon, Lucienne saw her mother walking forward behind her. Her dress was silvery white, with numerous gems precisely embedded into the fabric, making her look like a piece of noble artwork amidst the sea of mage robes.

"Mother!"

"My little Lucienne, there you are!"

Francine moved forward slowly, with several attendants following behind her. Besides Ivetta, there appeared to be other knights and servants escorting them, though they were forced to remain close to the walls while the mages reunited with their family members.

"Just look at you. Have you been eating well? And what is that on your face? A young lady should not present herself like that to the world!"

Her mother snapped her fingers, and one of the attending ladies immediately stepped forward with a full makeup kit and several brushes. It seemed Lucienne's usual approach of simply washing her face was not going to be enough today.

"Mother, please. We are about to start the Grand Convocation, and any makeup will just come off during the event..."

"Nonsense!"

Francine replied with a soft but firm scoff, motioning for the maid to proceed anyway.

"Appearance is everything, especially when surrounded by the elite of the continent. Now that your father's position has risen, we must adapt as well and present ourselves like proper nobles. Perhaps soon the Arden estate will rise into high nobility too!"

Lucienne sighed, resigned to her fate, and held still while the servant worked with practiced efficiency. She knew better than to argue when her mother was in this state of mind. Ever since her father had secured his latest promotion, Francine had become almost obsessed with maintaining an immaculate image.

"Speaking of Father... could he possibly have come too?"

Even though she already knew better than to ask, she did so anyway, trying to peek over her mother's shoulder. She had noticed that several people were still standing behind her, people who did not look like ordinary attendants or guards.

"Your father was... indisposed, as always."

Francine replied with a frown. Lucienne knew that expression well. Her mother might have given him the invitation and information about the event, but he had still turned it down. This was not particularly strange. After becoming a Marshal, Wentworth's workload had only increased, and he was probably forced to remain at the war-torn border as always.

However, someone had arrived with her mother whom Lucienne had not seen in quite some time.

"Is that... Sister Dianna?"

"It is indeed."

A tall, graceful woman stepped out from behind the line of personal guards. It was her elder sister, someone she had not seen in quite some time. Like their eldest sister Sophia, Dianna had married into another noble family, which had resulted in her taking a different surname.

Now she stood before Lucienne, and even beneath her elegant clothing, a noticeable bulge pressed against her stomach, clearly indicating that a new life was on the way.